MARCUS RASHFORD has got six games to earn himself a permanent move to Barcelona by firing the Catalan giants to the LaLiga title.
has opened the door for Rashford to be a crucial part of Hansi Flick’s side for the run-in.
Marcus Rashford has got six games to earn himself a permanent move to Barcelona Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
hold a healthy buffer over rivals at the top of the table, but there’s plenty of work left to do with the two sides still to face off next month.
Barca confirmed on Thursday that Yamal will miss the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury, joining fellow star winger on the sidelines – who has been out since March with his own hamstring issue.
Their absences mean Flick will surely have to turn to Rashford to occupy one of the wide positions for the remainder of the season.
Rashford, 28, hasn’t exactly been a crucial cog in Flick’s side since arriving on loan from Manchester United in the summer.
He has started just 15 league games and only been trusted from the off in five of Barca’s 12 matches.
Despite that, his return has still been impressive – registering a combined 25 goal contributions across all competitions.
That hasn’t been enough to convince Barcelona to trigger their £26.1m buy-option for the winger, with their interest in a permanent move cooling lately.
In fact, there has been a feeling in Spain that Rashford hasn’t seized his opportunity in recent weeks following Raphinha’s injury on international duty.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are unavailable for Barcelona Credit: Reuters
That reached its peak when the international was wasteful in front of goal during Barcelona’s Champions League exit to earlier this month.
Spanish media slammed Rashford for “lacking the character to be decisive” and suggested he “can’t continue” as a Barcelona player.
Barca boss Flick sent a message to Rashford in midweek, when he opted to put a square peg in a round hole by forcing midfielder onto the left wing over the loanee.
But the manager has insisted throughout the campaign that there is still a chance for Rashford to earn a permanent move in the summer.
Speaking last month, Flick said: “We need everyone until the end, and we don’t know what will happen after that.
“There’s time. There’s a World Cup. I believe in my players. [Joao] Cancelo, Rashford… they give us quality. And the rest, too.
“We’ll talk at the end and see what happens. Now is not the time to say ‘I want this one, I don’t want that one.’ Anything can happen.”
Flick’s latest injury nightmare means Rashford has essentially been handed a second chance to earn that move.
He will be hoping he can rediscover his form from the start of the season, when he racked up an astonishing 15 goals and assists in 13 games between September and November.
That period included contributions against Real Madrid, and Newcastle.
It was the form that people were expecting to see from Rashford, who is thought to have fallen back in love with football since swapping Manchester for Catalonia.
If he manages to return to that level, Rashford will surely tip Barca over the line and win his first ever league title.
He failed to win the Premier League title at Man Utd, despite so much promise from his teenage breakthrough.
Instead, he can crown his European adventure by becoming the first Englishman to ever win the league for Barcelona.
But the pressure is now on his shoulders to ensure his team get their hands on that LaLiga trophy.
Rashford never won the Premier League at Manchester United Credit: PA
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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